(Press release) Antigua – This month, British Airways will proudly celebrate 60 years of flying from Antigua to London, highlighting its commitment to the island.
On 1 June 1962, British Airways, then called British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) first touched down in V. C. Bird International Airport. The inaugural service was operated via Bermuda using a Britannia 707 aircraft, with an elapsed travel time to Antigua of over 15 hours. Today British Airways operates daily flights from Antigua to London Gatwick, in just over 8 hours using a Boeing 777.
British Airways is the longest serving carrier connecting the Caribbean to the UK, and its links to the region are stronger than ever, supporting local tourism and bringing families and friends together.
Diane Corrie, British Airways’ Commercial Manager for the Caribbean, said: “British Airways has always had a strong relationship with Antigua & Barbuda and we are proud that for 60 years – three generations – we have flown visitors to enjoy holidays and be reunited with friends and family in the Caribbean, London and beyond.
“With a daily frequency to London and several inter-regional flights, we look forward to continuing to play our part in reuniting loved ones and contributing to Antigua’s tourism, growth and development for many more years to come.”
Festivities started with a cocktail reception hosted by the Antigua and Barbuda Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority on June 10, 2022. The British Airways team at V. C. Bird International Airport will continue the celebrations by holding a Customer Appreciation Day and enjoying a team nature hike with visiting flight crew, cabin crew and local partners.
Marva Richards, who has worked for Airport Services Antigua Ltd, British Airways’ ground handler, since 1986, said: “This is a huge milestone for both British Airways and Antigua. I have so many memories from my time working with the airline, that it’s quite difficult to select one or two. The friendships I’ve developed is something that I will always hold dear – all these years with British Airways flight crew, cabin crew, engineers and even customers; who remember us and come to visit us when they come back to the island.”
Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Tourism and Investment, The Honourable Charles Fernandez in congratulating the airline on the milestone, exclaimed, “Sixty years is a celebration! British Airways has for sixty years connected travellers from the UK and Europe to Antigua and Barbuda, allowing us to share our culture, our heritage, our hospitality and the beauty of our destination. As a trusted partner, British Airways is interwoven into our tourism story. We share a rich history – from destination partnerships, marketing campaigns, to unwavering support during times of need, they have without a doubt contributed to the success of our tourism product. As we share in this momentous occasion, we congratulate and applaud BA. We look forward to many more years of partnership, and a mutually rewarding relationship with our twin-island paradise.”
